The Future’s So Bright You Gotta Wear Shades

June 26th, 2009

Did you know that June 27th is Sunglass Day?

Or that smoke tinted glasses were invented in China circa the early 1400’s?  However, instead of using them to guard against the sun’s rays, Judges wore them in court so nobody could see their eyes. This was to keep people from figuring out what the verdict was before it was declared.

In fact, the military was among the first to commission glasses that would protect pilots from the sun’s glare. And sunglasses didn’t really become used by the public en masse until the 1960s when a sunglass manufacturer and ad agency came up with the  “Who’s Behind those Foster Grants?” ad campaign.

In 2002 Sunglass Hut International joined forces with The Weather Channel as marketing partner of Rays Awareness.

Sunglass Hut supported The Weather Channel by sharing its expertise in eye safety and sunglass technology.

Each of Sunglass Hut’s 1,700 stores supported the program sending email notices and updates to consumers.

The Weather Channel featured eye safety tips and co-branded public service announcements and on-air segments promoting Rays Awareness throughout the summer.

In addition, the network shared data and statistics with local schools, civic groups and community boards.

Maybe you could contact your local advertising specialty company and order those cool sunglass clips for cars.  Have them custom imprinted with your company logo.  Every time your prospect unclips or clips their glasses on in the car, your company name is front and center.  These items are a hit with everyone and everyone uses them! Donate a few of them to local business or civic organizations during one of their events.

   Or do what Charlotte Russe (the boutique store) is doing. Charlotte Russe is running an exciting promotion with Seventeen Magazine! CR was featured in the table of contents and on the cover of the June issue. From 5/5/09-6/30/09 Seventeen readers can bring in the issue and receive a free pair of sunglasses from Charlotte Russe (while supplies last). 
 
What company could you partner with to create a community service campaign while promoting your product or service?

 

Entry Filed under: Small Business